Signal apparatus.



J. E. SULLIVAN.

` 'SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I4', I9I6.

I A1,285,459. y PIII-MIIQIINOY. 19,1915.

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Z5 /55 nu [Je L /y f box 1 and concealed.

dp'hore member 11 tilts in the other direction, this opaque element 13 is pushed up alarmin this opaqueelement 13 is down inside the But when the semathrough a slot 16 and displayed above the top of the box; and the light-transmitting element br spectacle glass 12 is moved downward from before the lam or light source 6,'so`that the clear white light is permitted to shine out through the main light passage with its' clear glass 4, and thus more eectively lighting the roadway than when the colored glass 12 is before the light source.

- For use as a visible-alarm device as well as lightin device at night, I- prefer to have this co ored glass moved downward only to such an extent that it remains partly before the light source 6, so that a small segment 18 of the main light passage, still comprises colored. glass. Thus the major part of the main light passage permits white light to pass, while a sullicient part of it still transmits colored light enough to attract attention and act as a visible-alarm; while the 25 brighter white light, of course in itself' acts as an alarm. In fact the eculiar combination .ot a patch of white lig t and the smaller patch'of colored light is so different from either an all white light or an all colored light, that this peculiarity adds` to the effect that would be proouced by either klnd of light alone. .y

For causing the semaphore member or bar l1 to tilt one way or the other and change the positionof its elements 12 and 13, or either of them'used singly, or whether theb lightv transmitting element 12, or an opaque element is moved before the light source, and whatever the extent of/ such movement, I prefer to provide an electro-magnetic means which may be controlledby the driver of thel vehicle while he remains in his seat and preferably without any special thought on his part, as by suitable means operating in conjunction with oneor more of the manipulating members ofthe vehicle.

Thus as exemplified in the diagram of Fig. 3, the semaphore-member 11 and its elements 12 and 13, swinging on the pivot 10, are represented as bein actuated by an electro-magnet 19, which 1s represented diagrammatically, as are also the light source 6 and an ordinary electric` bell 20 and lthe box 1, inclosing all these parts.

A suitable current source is exemplified by the rimaryv battery 21, from opposite termina s of which lead conductors 22 and 23 to respective terminals of the Aelectriclamp or light source 6; the latter conductor includinga suitable switch 24 for turning on and off the light in the device. The elec tro-magnet 19 hasone end of its coil con` .nected' to the conductor 22 and the other end outer terminal connected to the conductor 23 between the switch 2l and battery 21; so

that when this switch 2G is closed as represented in Fig. 3, a circuit will be completed through the electro-magnet 19 whether the switch 2t is closed and the lamp 6 lighted or not. The electric bell 20 has one terminal connected to the conductor and has its other terminal connected by a conductor 27 t0 one terminal of another switch 2S, similar to the switch 26 and which other switch 28 has its other terminal connected to 'the conductor 25. If this other switch 28 is closed while the first switch 26 is closed, a circuit will be completed through the bell 20, to sound an audible-alarm; and the closure of the switch 26 will already have caused the electro-magnet 19 to shift the semaphore elcment ll to a position indicated in Fig. 3, thus causing the visible-alarm, and, with the lighting arrangement above described, more thoroughly illuminating the roadway.

Forthc purpose of the present application, and not repeating what is fully described in my co-pending application above referred to, it may be stated that the switches 26 and 28 are successively closed by the engagement of successively moved manipulating members 29 and 30 in the course of preparing the vehicle for backward movement and then causing such movement.

As. represented in the diagram in Fig. 3, it may appear that the electro-magnet 19 is stationary and attracts the element 11 when energized andallows the element to move in` the other direction when denergized.

so far. as described, comprehends the use of i the electro-magnet in this manner. But in' order to lessen the amount of current required, I prefer my novel construction and arrangement, specifically shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the electro-magnet 19 a's well as the semaphore Vmember 11 swings up and down and isl connected to the semaphore member, so that its weightY contributes to the force for tilting the member 11 in one direction. As here shown, the magnet 19 is fixed on an upwardly extending bracket 31, forming part of the member 11 between the pivot 10 and the light source 6, at such a distance from the pivot that the center of gravity of the electro-magnet 19 is disposed on .this side' of the pivot 10. The armature 32 of the electro-magnet 19 is made lmovable i on the. inside of the rear of the box 1, to theA relative both to the electro-magnet 19 and the member 11, and so disposed th'at when it engages .the latter its weight contributes to the force for tilting the member 11 downward on the other side of the pivot 10; and when drawn over to the electro-magnet 1S) this weight is added to that of the electromagnet on the side of the pivot next to the light source G. As here shown, this movement ot' the armature 32 is provided for by mounting it on a forked yoke 33, the lnemhers of which flank the member 11 on the pivot 10so that the armature 32 is thusl coaxial with the member 11.

Also, in-order that the proper disposition of the weight of the. armatureclement relative to that of the electro-magnet and connected parts may be made, I prefer to let the armature element comprise a Vcounterweight 3st, that has a threaded central opening, through which a threaded stud 35 projects from the yoke 33 and armature Thus, by turning thev weight 31, it may be adjusted along the stud 35 to effect the desired result; and the only work that the electro-magnet 19 must do, is to overcome the weight of the armature element7 thus, or otherwise made up. l

. As shownthe armature element is drawn 'against the electro-magnet 19, so that the common center of gravity of the armature element and theelectro-magnet is on the side ot' the pivot next to the light source; and consequently the light transmitting element 12 is partially'removed from befordthe light source, while the element '13 iseraised and displayed. When the electro-magnet is deenergiz'ed, the armature element will fall away .until the lower edge of the yoke 33 engages with the upper side of the member -11; and the weightof the arn'iature element will now he subtracted'from the we1ght on the side of the pivotnext to the light source and added to that on the other side: and, the weights of the other parts of the semaphore member on the respective'sides of the pivot being substantially equal, the semaphorerinember will now be tilted in the other direction, bringing the one element 1:2 before' the light source and loweringl and concealing the other element 13.

The electric bell 20 is preferably mounted rear of and below the semaphore element 11; andthe adjacent end and bottom of the box are preferably provided with openings 36 and 37, respectively. for the t'reer passage of sound 1from the bell. To prev-'ent tampering with the interior mechanism, these openings ,35 and 37 are preferablv provided with woven wire nettings 38 and 39,- respectively. The door Q may have a lock .-O. The several conductors 22, 23, 25' and 2i' lead fronrthe respective devices, through an insulating bushing 41 in the rear of the box.

1t will be understood from the foregoing disclosure that my invention is susceptible to considerable modification under diiierent conditions ot' use, and therefore 1 do not wish to be understood as being limited preciselyto the disclosures herein made as examples of my invention, but what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In signal apparatus, a semaphore member, an electro-magnet connected to said semaphore member and having a mounting on which it swings up' and down, and an armature element for said electro-magnet mounted to swing up and down with said electromagnet and also to swing substantially in the plane of swinging of said electro-magnet, toward or away from said electro-magnet as .said electro-magnet is energized or denergized with its center of gravity located on the side of said mounting away from said electro-magnet and being ot' such weight and in such position relative to said electro-magnet and the resistance of the semaphore member connected thereto that the preponderance on one side the mounting when said electro-magnet is de'energized, but is transferred to 'the other side of said mounting when said electro-magnet is energized.

2. In. signal apparatus, a semaphore member, an electro-magnet connected to said semaphore member and having a mounting on which it swings up and down, an armature for said electro-magnet mounted to swing up and downwith said electro-magnet and also to swing substantially in the plane ot' swinging of` said electro-magnet, toward oraway from said electro-magnet as said electro-magnet is energized or denergized, and a counterweight. mounted on said armature for adjustment toward or away from the said mounting of said armature, whereb v the center of gravity of said arn'iature and counterweiglit is located bontheside of said mounting` away from said electro-mag! net` and said armature being of such weight. and in such position relative to said electromagnet and the resistance of the semaphore member connected thereto that the preponderance is on one side of the mounting when said electro-magnet is deinergized, vbut is transferred to the other side ot' said mountf ing' when said electro'magnct is energized.

ln signal apparatus, a semaphore member, an electro-magnet connected to said that the preponderance is on the side of said pivot away from said electro-magnet when said electro-magnet 1s deineregized, but is transferred to the other side of said pivot 4 when said electro-magnet is energized.

4. Insignal apparatus` a semaphore mem. ber having a mounting on which it swings up and down, an electro-magnet mounted on said member with its center of gravity disposed at one side ot said mounting, and an armature element for said electro-magnet mounted on said semaphore member to move substantially in the plane of swinging of said semaphore member', toward or away from said electro-magnet as said 'electro-I magnet is energized or denergized, with its center of gravity located on the other side of saidV mounting. and heilig of such weight and in such position relative to said semaphore member and eleetro-niagnet that the preponderance is on one sideof the mounting when said electro-magnet is denergized, but is transferred to the other side of said mounting when said electro-magnet is eneri.

gized. 5. In signal apparatus, a semaphore member having'a mounting on which it swings up and down, an electro-magnet mounted on said member with its center of gravity disposed at one side of said mounting, an armature i'or said electro-magnet mounted on said semaphore member to move substantially in the plane of swingingof said semaphore member, toward or away from said electro-magnet as said electro-magnet is energized or ,denergized,' and a' counterweight mounted on said armature for adjustment toward or away from said mounting of said armature, whereby the center of gravity of said armature and counterweight is located on the other side of said mounting, and said armature and its counterweight being of such weight and in such position relative to said semaphore member and electro-magnet that the preponderance is on one side of the mounting when said electro-magnet is deenergized, but is transferred to the other ,side of said mounting when, said electromagnet is energized. i

6. In signal apparatus, a semaphore member, an electro-magnet connected to said semaphore-member and having a mounting on which itA swings up and down, an armature element for said electro-magnet mounted to swing up and down with said electrov magnet and also to swing substantially inv the plane of swinging of said electromagnet, toward or away 4From said electromagnet as said electro-magnet is energized or denergized, with its' ynter of gravity located on the side of said mounting away from said electro-magnet and being of such weight and in such position relative to said electro-magnet and the resistance of thev semaphore membery connected thereto that the preponderance is on one side the mounting when said electro-magnet is deenergized, but is transferred to the other side of said mounting when said electro-magnet is en! ergized,.a light source, a semaphore element connected to said semaphore member whereby said element is moved inopposite directions, and being before said light source when moved in yone direction and being moved away from before said source when moved in the other direction.

7. In signal apparatus, a semaphore member, an electro-magnet connected to said semaphore member and having a mounting on which it swings up and'down, an armature element for said electro-magnet mounted to swing up and down'with said electromagnet and also to swing substantially in the plane of swinging of said electro-magnet, toward or away rom said electro-magnet as said electro-magnet is energized or denergized, with its center of gravityV located on the side of said mounting away from said electrdmagnet and being of such weight and in such position relative to said electro-magnet and the resistance of the semaphore member connected thereto that the preponderance is on one side the mounting when said electro-magnet is dener ized,

but is transferred to the other side o. said mounting when said electromagnet is en ergized, a light source, a colored light-trans- 4mitting semaphore element connected to said semaphore member wherebyl said element is moved in opposite directions, and being, before' said li ht source when moved in one direction'an being partially before said source 4when moved in the other direction.

8. In signal apparatus, a semaphore member having a mounting on'which it swings up and, down, an electro-magnet mounted on said member with its center of gravity disposed at one side of said mounting, an armature element for said electro-magnet mount! ed on said semaphore member to move substantially in the plane of swinging of said semaphore member, toward or away from said electro-magnet as said electro-magnet is energized or denergized, with its center rio of gravity located on the other Side of said mounting, andbeing of such weight and in such position relative to said semaphore member and electro-magnet that the preponderance. is on one side of thel'mounting when said electro-magnet is denergized, but is transferred to the other side of said mounting when said electro-magnet is energized, a light source, a plurality of semaphore elements connected to said semaphore member and disposed at opposite sidesjot` said mounting whereby said elements are moved in opposite directions, one of said elements being before said 1i ht source when moved in one direetionan being moved away from before said source when' moved in the other direction andthe other element being moved in one direction and displayed when the transparent eement is moved away from before said source, and means whereby this other element lis concealed when it Y moves in the other direction.

. n JGHN EMIL SULL .N. Witnesses:

IRENE PARKER, CLARENCE PERDEW. 

